Real Madrid will be without James Rodriguez for Sunday's derby with Atletico Madrid, but Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale are available.
Marca had reported this week that James was recovering from his thigh injury ahead of schedule and would be back for the derby, but he was absent from the team's final training session ahead of the trip to the Vicente Calderon.
"The idea was to have him ready as soon as possible [but] he's not fit," coach Rafa Benitez told his prematch news conference on Saturday.
However, Ramos returned to training on Friday after a dislocated shoulder and was joined by Bale, who has missed the club's last three games with a calf injury.
"Both players have been back in training and have the medical all-clear," Benitez said. "As for whether they play in the starting lineup, we will make that decision tomorrow.
"I've spoken with both players, and of course they are anxious to participate."
The coach said he was also weighing up whether to start summer signing Mateo Kovacic or Toni Kroos in midfield.
"I felt Toni played well the other day. From my perspective, I'd say he's physically and tactically in decent shape," he said.
"Another factor is his decision making. The fact that we can have this Toni or Kovacic debate is good for me."
Benitez, who grew up in the Spanish capital and spent time with Real as a player and coach earlier in his career, said he was relishing his first clash with Atletico since replacing Carlo Ancelotti in the summer.
"I'm well aware of what this game means to the city," he said. "My first earnings in football were 50 pesetas in a game for Madrid against Atleti, two 25 pesetas coins, more or less 40 cents for the younger crowd."
Atletico have had a disappointing start to the season, losing three times in all competitions including their last two games.
However, Benitez said: "My opinion on Atleti hasn't changed due to their recent results. This is a derby game. They are a team of great quality and it will be difficult."
He pointed to the fact that his side were held to a goalless draw by struggling Malaga in their last league game, adding: "With this backdrop, the message that I'm trying to transmit to my players is that this is no easy match. Look what happened against Malaga."
However, he remains confident that Real will take all three points at the Calderon.
"We head into this game with the idea of winning," he said. "I know that Atletico are a great club and excellent team. We face a well-organised side that will be spurred on by the fact that this is a derby game."
Benitez also congratulated Cristiano Ronaldo after he scored his 500th career goal and drew level with Raul as Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer with a brace against Malmo in midweek.
"Cristiano's record is there for everyone to see. I congratulated him and hope he can keep scoring," he said.
"It's a major achievement what he has done, and he has entered into the club's history books."
Real have declared that Ronaldo is already their leading scorer, crediting the forward with a 2010 goal that was officially awarded to Pepe.